Businesses
Commercial & Industrial Stormwater Tips
Carpet Cleaning Company Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet
Fueling Station Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet
Automotive Repair Shop Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet
The City of Brighton does not have a Stormwater Industrial Program. All applicable industries must comply with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) permit requirements.
CDPHE permit conditions require certain business owners to:
- Create a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
- Implement the SWMP.
- Identify the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that work best for the facility.
- Provide secondary containment.
- Cover or contain potential pollutants.
- Perform employee training.
- Perform regular inspections.
Some industries might be able to qualify for a "no exposure" exemption if you can completely remove all potential for stormwater pollution. If you do not qualify, then first look for ways to "shrink" the scope of the stormwater rule's coverage. If you operate physically separate facilities that perform different functions, not all those facilities may need permit coverage.
Additional Tips
1) Store potential stormwater pollutants such as chemicals, gas cans, dry mix materials, and petroleum products indoors when possible. If materials need to be stored outdoors, keep them under a canopy or cover with a tarp.
2) Dispose of processed water from washing operations of materials/products at a permitted and approved facility.
3) Washing operations of vehicles and equipment should take place in a designated service bay that drains to a sand/oil separator and sanitary sewer.
4) Provide a stormwater pollution prevention training to employees.
5) Provide spill kits in all company vehicles and around the facility in the event of a spill.
6) Provide adequate trash receptacles and ensure the service schedule is appropriate for the facility.
7) Clean up spills using dry methods such as floor dry or kitty litter and dispose within a permitted and approved facility.
8) Routinely maintain equipment and vehicles to ensure fluids are not actively leaking from the vehicle.
9) When fueling or maintaining vehicles and equipment, use funnels, drip pans, tarps, etc. to prevent fluids from discharging to the ground if there is not a designated service bay.
10) If all or most of your runoff discharges from your site at one specific point, install a catch basin upstream of the outfall. A catch basin, in the event of a large spill or release, will allow for some or all of the pollutant to be captured prior to release into the stormwater system. This will give you more time or organize a clean-up effort which, in turn, reduces your risk of an unlawful discharge.
Look around your facility. You might find there are other simple, inexpensive things that can make stormwater compliance easier.
For more ideas visit the EPA stormwater website or the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment website.